Ukraine’s Zelenskyy and Eisuke Mori, Japan’s Lower House chief, discuss energy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Eisuke Mori, speaker of Japan’s Lower House, discussed energy support for Ukraine at their meeting in Kyiv on Tuesday, the presidential office said.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Japan’s consistent support for Ukraine since Russia began its invasion of the neighboring country in 2022, particularly welcoming Tokyo’s participation in the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), NATO’s framework for procuring defense equipment for Ukraine.

The president also invited Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to visit Ukraine.

Referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit in August to one of four Russian-held islands off Hokkaido claimed by Japan at the center of a long-standing territorial dispute between Tokyo and Moscow, Zelenskyy emphasized his support for Japan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mori responded that Japan always supports Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. He arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Monday and addressed the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, on Tuesday.

According to the Lower House secretariat, Mori is the first parliamentary chief of Japan to visit Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion.